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On Nov. 17, at approximately 6:30 p.m., officers of the Abbeville Police Department responded to La. Hwy. 14 (Veteran’s Memorial Drive) near the intersection with N. John Hardy Drive in reference to a pedestrian accident.
​Based on the initial investigation, a pedestrian, identified as 50-year-old Anthony Lemaire of Abbeville, was in the roadway in the turning lane of the highway, attempting to cross the highway. A vehicle traveling eastbound went into the turning lane to attempt to turn north and struck the pedestrian. Lemaire was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Vermilion Parish Coroner’s Office.
​The accident is still under investigation at this time. Impairment is not suspected. No charges have been filed against the driver of the vehicle.
​Chief of Police William Spearman would like to thank the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Louisiana State Police for their assistance.
The Abbeville Police Department is asking that anyone who have any information regarding any crime, to please contact the Abbeville Police Department by calling 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through CrimeStoppers of Vermilion by calling 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

February 23, 1960 – November 13, 2021

Funeral services were held at St Mary Magdalen Church on Wednesday, November 17, 2021 honoring the life of Abby James Broussard who passed away at the young age of 61 on November 13, 2021 after a long hard battle with cancer. He was laid to rest at St. Paul Cemetery with Fr. Donald Bernard officiating. Pallbearers were J.P. Broussard, Scotty Guidry, N.R. “Bubba” Broussard Jr, Cody Luedke, Bill Jackson and Brady Broussard.
Abby was born in Abbeville at the Palms Hospital. He was a 1978 graduate of Abbeville High School. He lived in Abbeville all of his life, however spent a significant amount of time in Utila, Honduras. Abby worked for the family companies, NR Broussard Landing and Broussard Brothers. He was the “best damn salesman in the office, better than Bill Brasky”.
Abby never met a stranger and always lived life to the fullest. He would give you the shirt off of his back. He had an Entrepreneurial spirit. He was always able to put a smile on your face or make you laugh. He loved playing poker, hitting the slot machines, scuba diving and traveling. Abby loved to dance, albeit in his own unique way. He adored his grandchildren.
He is survived by his mother, Bobbie Jean McCann Broussard; son, J.P. Broussard and his significant other Fabiola Andrade; daughter, Alexandra Menard; grandchildren, Charles Samuel (Charlie) Broussard, Sophie Trahan and Caroline Menard; siblings, Peggy B. Lege, N.R. “Bubba” Broussard and his wife Toni, Arlene Collee and her husband Luc, Danny P. Broussard, Cathy Broussard and her significant other Bill Jackson, Janet Greig and her husband Gary, and Jackie Fleming and her husband John; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, N.R. Broussard; and brother in-law Arnold Pete Lege.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joseph Brierre, MD and Eric Buller, PA for their care of Abby.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.vincentfuneralhome.net.
All funeral arrangements are being conducted by Vincent Funeral Home of Abbeville, (337) 893-4661.

​What started as officers responding to a call of shots fired Saturday afternoon in Abbeville ended with two arrests in Lafayette.
On Nov. 13, at approximately 2:50 p.m. officers of the Abbeville Police Department responded to the 1500 block of Felicity Street in reference to a “Shots Fired” call.
During the subsequent investigation, officers located several 9mm and .40 caliber casings in the area where the caller stated that people were shooting. Officers found a parked vehicle, which was unoccupied, had been hit by two bullets. There was no evidence linking the people shooting to that vehicle.
Officers were able to secure a vehicle description and license plate of the vehicle that subjects were shooting from. A BOLO was put out to area law enforcement agencies for the vehicle and suspects.
At approximately 6:30 p.m., the Abbeville Police Department was notified that the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s office conducted a traffic stop on the suspect’s vehicle, and they had two individuals detained that were inside the vehicle. A search warrant was obtained for the vehicle, and officers located a Glock .40 caliber handgun, a Taurus 9mm handgun and a .22 caliber rifle. A NCIC check revealed that the Taurus 9mm handgun had been stolen out of Baton Rouge.
Abbeville Police Department officers took custody of the two individuals detained. It was discovered that one of the individuals was a 17-year-old juvenile.
The juvenile was charged and released to his guardian. The second suspect, Devon Andrus of Lafayette, was arrested and charged with the following:
• Illegal Use of Weapons
• Obstruction of Justice
• Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile
Abbeville Chief of Police William Spearman said he would like to thank the Abbeville Police Department patrol division for a job well done. Chief Spearman would also like to thank the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.
​​The Abbeville Police Department is asking that anyone who has any information regarding any crime, to please contact the Abbeville Police Department by calling 893-2511. You may contact our “Tips” line at 892-6777. All callers may remain anonymous. Citizens may also send anonymous tips through CrimeStoppers of Vermilion by calling 740-TIPS or the P3 app, which can be downloaded through the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

When asked Blake Saddler, “Who is Blake Saddler?” The Abbeville senior tailback had an answer.
“I am the GOAT,” replied Saddler after Abbeville crushed Richwood 53-22 in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. “I am unstoppable.”
Let’s be clear. Saddler is not saying he is a goat who can run fast. He said he is “The G.O.A.T.”
The word G.O.A.T. stands for Greatest of All Time. Professional athletes such as N.F.L. quarterback Tom Brady or N.B.A. legend Michael Jordan are the G.O.A.T.s in their sports.
Saddler has the stats to back up his G.O.A.T. status.
In 11 games, Saddler has rushed for 1,910 yards, 500 more yards than any Wildcat football player. If he has a regular game in the second round of the playoffs, he will reach 2,000 yards.
No other Wildcat has run for 1,500 yards, let alone 2,000 yards.
On Friday, in a lopsided win, Saddler scored three touchdowns and ran for 163 yards. He had 11 carries for 132 yards in the first half and scored two touchdowns.
This season, in 11 games, he has scored 21 touchdowns and just under 200 points.
Who does that? Someone who has crowned himself the G.O.A.T. of Abbeville High School.
He stands just under 5-foot-7 and has blazing speed. But his running style sets him apart from most running backs. Saddler does not like to go out of bounds. Instead, he takes a pitch from his Q.B. and turns up field.
Saddler refuses to take the easy way out. Instead of going out of bounds, he cuts back inward, stops, and takes off again. He is also hard to bring down one-on-one. His legs never stop moving.
“I have good vision,” said Saddler. “When they come to tackle me, it is hard to take me down. My feet never stop moving. I tell the other running backs to pump their feet. Keep moving your feet.”
Saddler admits he was not born with this running talent. Instead, he was taught by Abbeville High quarterback and running back coach Myles Hutchinson. A former quarterback for Acadiana High School, Hutchison showed him how to “come downhill, hit the hole, and chop your feet.”
“Last year, I was not this good. But, I became better because of what Coach Myles showed me.”
Saddler went from being average to G.O.A.T. status in a matter of a season. The Wildcats followed his success and are 10-1, for the first in 19 years.